Back in November 2009, the Islamic regime's Ministry of Education announced that the names of Persian Emperors, along with the imperialistic doctrine, would be expunged from the school books.[*] The announcement faced resentment throughout the country, compelling the despotic rulers of the regime to retract. In their retreat, they augmented the texts with a comprehensive and futile history of early Islamic Arabia, a narrative entirely unrelated to Iranian history. Moreover, Iranian schoolchildren, in an act of derision, distorted Arabic names to serve as derogatory terms.

 

However, in a recent manoeuvre, the regime has returned with subtlety, attempting a similar agenda but with a more insidious and debilitating approach.

 

In its latest move, the Islamic regime, in adherence to its policy, has eliminated the portrayal of Cyrus the Great's benevolent treatment of his subjects. This treatment included liberating Israelites and facilitating their return to their homeland, along with the reconstruction of their temples. This new move starkly aligns with the regime's anti-Semitic policy and, fundamentally, constitutes an anti-Iranian stance in tandem with their ongoing de-Iranianisation of Iran.

 

Nevertheless, several young bloggers assert that their knowledge of Cyrus the Great's benevolent deeds does not solely emanate from school books but also from their independent readings. The new measure, they argue, will serve as an impetus to delve into the details of the Father of the Iranian nation, thereby becoming thorns in the regime's side.

 

It is apparent that, after four decades, the regime has yet to learn that the more it targets the Iranian identity, the more vehemently Iranians resist. Paradoxically, such actions contribute to the bolstering of Iranian nationalism and, more notablely, foster anti-Iranian sentiments.

 

Shapour Suren-Pahlav

11 April 2021

 

Footnote:

 *, Suren-Pahlav, Sh, 'The Islamic Regime's Omission of Ancient Iranian Emperors from School History Books', CAIS Online (01 November 2009). Link: https://www.cais-soas.com/News/2009/November2009/01-11.htm